Shows
Truth 2x2 Cult KidsMasculinity, Men and Boys - 2x2 DeconstructionWhen Tristan Phipps left the 2x2's he shut off that part of his life to himself and to those around him. A mental health crisis forced him to acknowledge what had happened and to break out of the isolation of the masculine role he had been raised with. His efforts to help other cult survivors has become a key part of his own deconstruction and healing.Tristan's social mediaFear2FreedomMasculinity resourcesRoad to healing Aoteoroa – for male survivors of sexual abuseTh...
2025-11-2145 min
Truth 2x2 Cult Kids2x2 Vocabulary: SufferingFor the 2x2s, suffering is a badge of honour. But what happens when this turns into the suffering Olympics? This is the final of ten short episodes examining the misuse and tangling of language and vocabulary in the Truth 2x2's. Have you experienced the Suffering Olympics? Share your thoughts on socials.------>Truth 2x2 Cult Kids Podcast Socials Links:Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@truth2x2survivorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauramc.au/Website: https://ww...
2025-11-0201 min
Truth 2x2 Cult Kids2x2 Vocabulary: JoyFor the Truth 2x2s, joy is a specific, attainable and predictable state. But is this truly joy? This is the ninth of ten short episodes examining the misuse and tangling of language and vocabulary in the Truth 2x2's. What was your experience of how ‘joy’ was understood within the group? Share your thoughts on socials.------>Truth 2x2 Cult Kids Podcast Socials Links:Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@truth2x2survivorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauramc.au/W...
2025-10-3001 min
Truth 2x2 Cult Kids2x2 Vocabulary: SpiritWithin the 2x2s 'spirit' (a willingness to follow arbitrary rules) is privileged over everything, even safety. This is the eighth of ten short episodes examining the misuse and tangling of language and vocabulary in the Truth 2x2's. Trigger warning: this discussion raises issues of family violence, CSA, SA and bullying. If you are comfortable doing so, please share your thoughts and experiences of how ‘spirit’ was used within the group on socials.------>Truth 2x2 Cult Kids Podcast Socials Links:
2025-10-2702 min
Truth 2x2 Cult Kids2x2 Vocabulary: ForsakeThe Truth 2x2s’ expectation is that we will forsake worldly things, the world, and ourselves. This is the seventh of ten short episodes examining the misuse and tangling of language and vocabulary in the Truth 2x2's. Trigger warning: This language reflects expectations within the 2x2s I found particularly onerous as a woman. This episode might be hard to listen to if you're an ex-member. Please be prepared. What were you expected to forsake? Share your thoughts on socials.------>Tru...
2025-10-2401 min
Truth 2x2 Cult Kids2x2 Vocabulary: Peculiar PeopleThe 2x2s value their ‘peculiar’ difference from society, but is being peculiar the same as being blessed? This is the sixth of ten short episodes examining the misuse and tangling of language and vocabulary in the Truth 2x2's. How do you feel about the 2x2s’ ‘peculiarness'? Share your thoughts on socials.------>Truth 2x2 Cult Kids Podcast Socials Links:Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@truth2x2survivorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauramc.au/Website: https://ww...
2025-10-2101 min
Truth 2x2 Cult Kids2x2 Vocabulary: Thankfulness‘Gratitude’ is a mindfulness practice. What if, instead of finding positives, you were forced to embrace the negatives? This is the fifth of ten short episodes examining the misuse and tangling of language and vocabulary in the Truth 2x2's.Trigger warning: discussing this language took me right back to my time in the group, so please be prepared that this episode might be tough to listen to if you're an ex-member. How do you feel about the expectation to give thanks? What is the effect of learning to fee...
2025-10-1801 min
Truth 2x2 Cult Kids2x2 Vocabulary: In the world, not of the worldHave you ever felt the people around you just don’t matter? This is how 2x2s are ‘supposed’ to feel about outsiders. This is the fourth of ten short episodes examining the misuse and tangling of language and vocabulary in the Truth 2x2's. How do you feel about the 2x2s’ use of language to create an in-group that sees itself as separate from the world? Share your thoughts on socials.------>Truth 2x2 Cult Kids Podcast Socials Links:Tiktok: https://ww...
2025-10-0901 min
Truth 2x2 Cult Kids2x2 Vocabulary: MeekWould you rather be a sheep or a goat? If you are a woman, the 2x2s require you to be not just a sheep, but a lamb. This is the third of ten short episodes examining the misuse and tangling of language and vocabulary in the Truth 2x2's. Trigger warning: This language highlights aspects of the 2x2s I found particularly uncomfortable as a woman. This episode might be hard to listen to if you're an ex-member. Please be prepared. How do you feel about the...
2025-10-0602 min
Truth 2x2 Cult Kids2x2 Vocabulary: PeaceOutside the Truth 2x2s, peace might be a feeling you seek. Inside, it is a tool to be feared. This is the second of ten short episodes examining the misuse and tangling of language and vocabulary in the Truth 2x2's. Trigger warning: the discussion of this particular language reminded me of difficult parts of my time in the group, so this episode might be tough to listen to if you're an ex-member. Please be prepared. What was your experience of how ‘peace’ was weaponized within the gro...
2025-10-0301 min
Truth 2x2 Cult Kids2x2 Vocabulary: WillingWhen you hear the word 'willing' what does that mean to you? 'Willing' has one meaning in the 2x2's and another outside.This is the first of ten short episodes examining the misuse and tangling of language and vocabulary in the Truth 2x2's.Trigger warning: discussing this language took me right back to my time in the group, so please be prepared that this episode might be tough to listen to if you're an ex-member.How did you hear 'willing' used in the group? Share your thoughts on...
2025-09-3002 min
Truth 2x2 Cult KidsExamining 2x2 Culture with Kyle HanksKyle is host of YouTube channel/podcast Cowtipper Vern and one of the four moderators and founders of the ex 2x2 Facebook support group.On his YouTube channel Kyle explore topics around 2x2 culture – deconstruction, behaviour, language, story telling.Kyle explores here what Truth 2x2 culture looks like and some of the challenges we face defining language and beliefs, in a culture where very little is explicitly named or written down.The naming of our culture in Truth 2x2s is powerful – exploring how that culture enables silent treatment, cover ups, abuse of powe...
2025-07-1544 min
Truth 2x2 Cult KidsCult Inquiry Announced with Renee & ClareA parliamentary inquiry into cults and fringe groups has recently been announced in the state of Victoria (Australia).This inquiry has spurred a group of survivor advocates to join forces and work together to form the Victorian Cult Survivors Network.In this episode host Laura McConnell together with Renee Spencer and Clare Heath McIvor discuss their journeys into cult survivor advocacy and their hopes for the parliamentary inquiry in Victoria. The survivor group has members from a wide variety of cults and the moderators come from a variety of cult backgrounds themselves – Laura is a Tru...
2025-06-0349 min
Truth 2x2 Cult KidsTheological Whiplash with AlexIn this episode with Alex we explore racism, white saviourism, compulsory heterosexuality and queerphobia inside Truth 2x2s. If that wasn’t enough complexity to manage for Alex and I – we also discuss Pentecostalism, and the shapeshifting Alex had to manage in order to be a devout Truth 2x2 at home and a good Pentecostal at school. Alex certainly navigated theological whiplash. The impact of colonialism and racism is often swept aside in cult survivor conversations. I’m grateful Alex was brave enough to share some experiences of this with us. Truth 2x2s have Workers, in particular older white...
2025-05-1541 min
Decult Talks - Breaking the Silence on Cultic HarmThe truth about The Truth: Secrets and cover-ups of the 2x2sIn this gripping episode of Decult Talks, Laura McConnell Conti shares her personal story of growing up in the secretive sect “The Truth” (or 2x2s), a group currently under investigation by the FBI for pedophilia. Laura takes us through her journey of leaving the cult, shedding light on the control tactics and the psychological impact of being raised within such a closed and abusive environment.Recorded live at the first Decult Conference in Christchurch, New Zealand and produced as a podcast by Plains Media.Tune in for a powerful and eye-opening discussion that will leav...
2025-05-1129 min
Truth 2x2 Cult KidsBarlow Breakaway with CandiceWe explore the similarities between the Truth 2x2s and a breakaway group, the Barlows, with Candice Curran.Welcome to Episode 2 of Truth 2x2 Cult Kids Podcast, with guest Candice Curran.Trigger Warning (TW) that this episode contains reference to sexual abuse, family violence, coercion, spiritual and religious abuse. Candice was raised in the Bob Barlow Group, a breakaway group of the Truth 2x2s in Queensland Australia.In this episode we explore the similarities between the two groups, the shared history and theology. We explore how Bob Barlow took a...
2025-04-3043 min
Truth 2x2 Cult KidsStanding Strong with Maria HutchisonTW: This episode contains references to CSA.Maria Hutchison is a survivor of the Truth 2x2's from New Zealand. She now lives in Melbourne Australia. She founded With Freedom Coaching, working as an addiction counsellor and coach. She experienced abuse inside Truth 2x2's, which was swept away and silenced. Maria works with trauma survivors, leveraging her deep lived experience of trauma and recovery. She wrote a book on her experiences and her work, Facing Maria.In this episode Maria shares some of her experiences inside Truth 2x2s, her experience of speaking up...
2025-03-0137 min
Truth 2x2 Cult KidsAn Introduction to the Truth 2x2 CultThis is an introduction to the Truth 2x2 cult, an overview of group, its history, culture and behaviours.This episode is broadly based on a presentation that I gave at DeCult conference in Christchurch in October 2024. Information about that conference, access to resources and information can be found on the Decult website, which I’d recommend as a good resource for cult survivors in general, not just from the Truth 2x2s.A copy of my presentation at DeCult can be found on substack, link in the show notes. This presentation was written an...
2025-01-1225 min
Truth 2x2 Cult KidsTruth 2x2 Cult Kids - WelcomeWelcome to the Truth 2x2 Cult Kids Podcast, by your host Laura McConnell ContiThis is a short intro to the podcast, what you can expect and some background on your host.The next eposide will be focused on the background of the Truth 2x2 Cult.Show Notes:Links to my work:Substack: https://substack.com/@fierceladyfeministTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@truth2x2survivorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauramc.au/Website: https://www.lauramcconnell.com.au/...
2025-01-0105 min
Cult ChatEpisode 46: Deculting with Dr Janja LalichJoin Liz, Caz, Lindy and cult expert Dr Janja Lalich, as they talk about the highlights of the inaugural NZ Decult 2024 conference, and how this remarkable event has contributed to a critical conversation. In this episode Liz says, “The problem is more pervasive than your average kiwi recognises.” Too right, Liz! Let's keep the conversation going!
Notes
Website - Get access to Decult audio and video
Video - Interview with Ulricke Schiesser for Decult
Article - Andre Afamasaga in Samoan Observer
Website - Scott Homan and Witnes...
2024-11-0658 min
God ForbidStraying from strict parentsWhat is it like to grow up in a strict religious or cultural household - and what happens when you no longer agree with your parents’ worldview? Guests:David Newheiser, Senior Research Fellow, Religion and Theology, ACU, author of Hope in a Secular AgeLaura McConnell Conti, grew up in a fundamentalist Christian group known as The TruthProfessor Manjula Datta O’Connor, psychiatrist and author of Daughters of Durga: Dowries, Gender Violence and Family in Australia
2024-03-2254 min
Sustainable EcommerceEP68 - Growing Your Brand In a Circle of KindnessWelcome to Episode 68!
https://sustainable-ecom.com/ep68
On today’s show we take a look at a brand that’s turning the sales of sustainably-made bedding basics into social good. Laura McConnell Conti is the co-founder of GoKindly, a social enterprise that donates 50% of profits to women and non-binary people experiencing housing stress through charities like Juno and Women’s Housing.
In our chat Laura shares her personal journey towards starting a business-for-good, and the journey the brand continues to be on in evaluating the most sustainable way to make bedding basics like quilts a...
2023-08-0744 min
Unemployed & Afraid“It's okay to start something little, it doesn't have to be this big thing to begin with,” Co-founder of #GoKindly, Laura McConnell ContiLaura McConnell Conti is co-founder of #GoKindly, a high-quality bedding basics brand, BCorp, and social Enterprise making the world kinder by donating 50% of profits to women in need. In this episode Laura shares why she built her business without knowing what product or brand would be the vessel, instead focusing on the operating model first… You see, she knew what type of business she wanted to be, one with positive social and environmental impact at the core – and knew the product would reveal itself as she went along. You’ll hear about why conside...
2023-02-2642 min